New York mayor pleads not guilty to corruption charges

New York Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty on Friday federal accusations of accepting bribesfirmly denying having accepted foreign trips, money for his campaign and other benefits from foreign interests that sought to take advantage of his influence.

Adams’ attorney told a judge he would act next week to dismiss the case, which has rocked America’s largest city after months of investigations, raids and subpoenas.

The Democratic official — currently serving his first term — maintains that he committed no crime and has pledged to remain in office, rejecting growing calls for him to resign.

Adams, a former police captain, entered his formal plea in a court in Manhattan, located a short distance from City Hall and with a wide view of the city.

His appearance before Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker came the day after prosecutors unsealed charges that he accepted $100,000 in flights and accommodations in opulent hotel suites from people with ties to Turkey, and that he boosted his mayoral campaign with illegal donations that helped him qualify for more than $10 million in public campaign funds.

“I am innocent, your honor,” Adams said, looking solemnly at the judge.

Adams was released on condition that he not contact any witnesses or people described in the indictment. The prosecution said it would give his lawyer a list of names.

The mayor is allowed to talk to family members and staff, but not about issues related to the allegations, Parker said, warning him that he could face additional charges and penalties if he engages in witness tampering or intimidation.

Adams left the courthouse without comment. He smiled at a court official but ignored the rows of reporters he passed on his way out. He later stood silently outside the courthouse as his lawyer, Alex Spiro, criticized the allegations before a crowd of cameras and onlookers. There were shouts of “Free Eric,” and also “Lock him up!”

“This is not even a real case. “This is a case of corruption for an airline upgrade,” Spiro said.

Adams, 64, is due back in court Wednesday for a conference before U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho, who will preside over the case going forward.

In his roughly 18-minute appearance, Adams stood impassively, with his hands in his lap, as Parker read the allegations aloud in a steely manner that underscored the seriousness of the case.

Adams is charged with five counts: wire fraud, bribery, conspiracy and two counts of receiving campaign contributions from a foreign national. If convicted of the most serious charge, wire fraud, he could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison, federal prosecutors say.

Adams — who rose to office on a platform as a champion of the middle class and defender of the law — is accused of abusing a years-long relationship with a Turkish official that dates back to his time as Brooklyn borough president. , for the purpose of political and personal gain, and not to disclose those relationships on information disclosure forms.

Among other things, Adams is accused of allowing the official and others to give him luxury accommodations in France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary, Ghana and Turkey, which included expensive upgrades to business class on airplanes, luxury, and even a trip to a Turkish bath. The prosecution points out that the total value of such benefits exceeds $100,000.

Adams is also accused of conspiring with Turkish businessmen and others to funnel illegal foreign donations to his political campaigns, in part by diverting them through straw donors who had not actually contributed the money. The law prohibits non-U.S. citizens from donating to political candidates.

In exchange, Adams allegedly did favors for the donors. An example of this would have occurred in September 2021, when, on the verge of being elected mayor, he allegedly helped ensure that the newly built Turkish diplomatic tower in Manhattan was not subjected to a fire inspection, which there certainly would not have been. approved.

At one point, a Turkish official called him “a true friend of Türkiye,” the indictment states. Adams allegedly responded, “Yes, I am more than a true friend of yours. You are my brother.”

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